On self-confidence and social responsibility: Hanna Roos in conversation with ELLE France

Could you briefly introduce yourself to us?

• A rockstar lawyer, meaning I solve disputes for rockstars like a rockstar.  I have founded Aavagard, which represents a new era of law (www.aavagard.com).  We curate bolder wins for clients and happier lawyers.
• A tech entrepreneur: I am developing the world’s best dispute resolution lawyer based on AI.
• Explorer: I have sailed across the Atlantic and managed negotiations with an African state from six-meter waves.  I felt very unwell.  The highlight was swimming with sperm whales in the wild.
• A mother to two boys with beautiful minds.
• A wife to an eyelid surgeon on Harley Street, London.
• A boss to a wonderful team of talented, soulful lawyers.
• A sister, daughter, friend, puppy owner.
• I love: the sauna (I hail from the Nordics), early mornings, my dad’s pancake recipe, and my kids’ sense of humour.

Today we see you with sustainable fashion pieces!  How important is sustainable fashion to you?

Very.  My focus at the moment: women’s high-heeled shoes.  The heel really doesn’t last long if you are a busy woman charging around on cobble stones, and often looks shabby even when repaired.  I favour shoe brands that take the shoe back and make it look new.  Another angle to sustainability is that if a piece of clothing is nice to wear and durable, I get a lot of use out of it.  During Covid I started wearing only clothes that are comfortable to wear and to cycle in (hello stretchy silk), and I haven’t looked back.  I’m a fan of the “Good on You” app by Emma Watson and go to it to check how ethical a clothing or shoe brand is.  Verdict: a lot of fashion houses still need to do better.

You are all very busy businesswomen!  How do you maintain the balance between your private life and your work life.

I asked my kids, and they say: “you don’t”.  This is the eternal issue I try to improve on.  Being an entrepreneur is all-encompassing, but my kids are only little for a short time and I’ll never get that time back.  Some things that help:

• I used to sacrifice sleep for decades, but now prefer an early bed-time and try to get eight hours of sleep.  My mind is more aspirational in the mornings.
• Sports: I use Asana Rebel for workouts when I travel.  They have a good selection of 5 minute to longer sessions depending on what I have time for.  They also have pick-me-up meditations for tough spots in life.  I take up new sports in order to keep developing.  Tennis, surfing and cold-water swimming are up next.
• I always try to have a good book in progress.  It’s like having a great conversation even in the mundane moments such as waiting for a delayed train.
• When I come across a task, I consciously think about how and to whom I can delegate it, so that my turn-around time for jobs is as short as possible.
• My new priority is to ask: how can I have more fun with family and at work?  That helps me consciously make choices that create positive energy all around, for example an evening swim with family followed by crepes and a glass of wine (or two).

Finally, in this period when the number of fashion influencers is high, as women who influence young people with their careers, what messages can you give to young people who take you as a role model?

• Work on being your own best friend.  So much goodness starts right there.
• Gravitate to people with authenticity and content, not glamour.
• Always remember, other peoples’ lives are not easier – they just look it.

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